THE House prosecution panel announced on Thursday that it will no longer present former Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV as a witness in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Lead prosecutor Representative Gerville Luistro of Batangas made the disclosure during Day 32 of the proceedings, stating that the decision is final. “The prosecution has finally decided not to present former senator Sonny Trillanes. We seek the kind indulgence of the honorable impeachment court for the belated final position on this particular concern,” Luistro told the Senate Impeachment Court, without providing a specific reason for the last‑minute change.
The development comes after Senator‑judge Raffy Tulfo had previously urged the prosecution to present Trillanes first — ahead of Anti‑Money Laundering Council Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura — given Trillanes’ public allegations regarding the Duterte family’s bank accounts and unexplained wealth. Trillanes, a long‑time critic of the Dutertes, had already appeared at the Senate impeachment court last Tuesday, fueling speculation that he would be called to testify in connection with Article II of the impeachment complaint focusing on alleged ill‑gotten wealth.
With Trillanes’ removal from the witness list, the prosecution is expected to proceed with its remaining scheduled witnesses, including AMLC officials and records custodians who can directly address the financial documents and transactions under scrutiny. The sudden withdrawal has raised questions about the panel’s trial strategy, though Luistro emphasized that the decision is conclusive and the case will move forward without his testimony. The Vice President’s defense team has yet to issue a formal response to the development.
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